Like most of us, I joined PTA because I wanted the best for my children. I admit it -- I was selfish. I wanted to be involved to make sure my children received the very best education possible.

But the more I became involved, the more I learned and the more I wanted the best for all children. I loved volunteering at my children's school and working with the programs our PTA put on, but it was at my first convention that I realized the real impact of PTA.

Something remarkable happened. Sitting in the convention Center with thousands of other PTA members, I realized how much more we could do together. I recognized the power of PTA, not just the great things a PTA can do at a single school site, but the transformative things PTA can do as we change policies, laws, practices and advocate for all children.

One of the best PTA opportunities is our annual state convention. At convention, you can attend workshops to learn how to run a PTA, develop great programs and create parent education programs. You'll help set the direction and priorities of the California State PTA during the general sessions. You'll gain resources, make connections and let's not forget have fun.

Please join us in Anaheim, May 9-12, for this year's PTA Convention. This is no Mickey Mouse operation - but Disneyland is just around the corner and we're planning a trip to the happiest place on earth. Online registration is now open. See you in Anaheim!

Carol

TOP SPEAKERS LINED UP FOR CONVENTION

Register now and you'll say "WOW"

WOW! PTA Convention in Anaheim will bring you some extraordinary voices. If you've ever come face to face with a mean girl, than you want to hear Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabees (the movie Mean Girls was based on). Mark Yudof, University of California president, will share his vision for the country's greatest public university system. At the Arts Advocacy Lunch, Larry Powell, Fresno County Superintendent and long time arts champion, will explain why he gave up three years of salary to steer money back to his schools. To get us energized for the challenges ahead, Mike Robbins, best-selling author and motivational speaker, will inspire at the First General Meeting. There's much more at Convention! Come learn and be wowed! Register today.

GO TO CONVENTION ON AN EMERGING LEADER GRANT

Apply by March 7, 2012

Ninth District 2011 convention delegates cheer for PTA

Ninth District PTA wants to assist emerging PTA leaders in attending the 2012 California State PTA Convention. We'll award a number of $250 grants for first-time convention attendees. We're looking for applicants who will learn from the training, participate in the decision-making and contribute to PTA in the future. Apply here.

ELECT YOUR NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Darlene Harris, VP Leadership

It's election season! No, I'm not talking about electing the next president of the United States. I'm talking about electing the next president and officers of your PTA! Every PTA should be preparing to elect their new officers before the second week of April. The first step is to elect a nominating committee to recruit the best candidates to lead your PTA next year. Serving on the nominating committee is an honor and a privilege. Learn more.

CAN OUR PTA HIRE BABYSITTERS?

Shawna Straw, Treasurer

Yes. PTAs often provide babysitting services for parents as they attend PTA meetings or activities. PTAs may charge for these services or subsidize it out of PTA funds. Whether babysitters are paid or volunteer, you must follow guidelines from the Toolkit and insurance booklet to make sure children are safe and well-supervised. Learn more.

HISTORIAN CORNER

Steve Tutunjian, Historian

Founders Day 2012 was a huge success and I appreciate all those councils and units that helped us with photos and summaries for our display boards.

Can you believe it's February and our year has just flown by. As a reminder, our annual unit historian reporting requirement will be here before you know it. Since District is required to have its Annual Historian Report (a grand total of all volunteers hours expended by district, councils and units) in State's hand by June 1, we're asking you provide your council and unit reports to us no later than May 17, 2012. This means you will have to estimate volunteer hours through June 30 of this year. Please email me or call me at 858-382-0911 if you need help. Thanks for all you do!

TEACHER MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE

Sign up all your teachers and win one free convention registration

How many teachers are members of your school PTA? If 100 percent of your full-time credentialed teachers join your PTA before March 1, 2012, your unit will receive one free registration to State Convention in Anaheim on May 9-12. Learn more.

GRANTS AND AWARDS FOR PTAS

Heather Bush, VP Parent Involvement

Here are two great opportunities for PTAs:

Cyberbullying Parent Education Award:

Applications due March 1

If your PTA offers a parent education program that addresses responsible use of digital media, apply for a PTA and Common Sense Media Parent Education Award of $500. Download the application here.

School Wellness Recognition Program

Applications due March 30

This program recognizes and applauds schools that are making significant improvements in their school environments related to healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco-free lifestyles. Learn more.

YOU CAN BE AN ARTS LEADER

Cathy Roth, Arts Education Chair

In this current environment of budget cuts, many worry that education in the arts (dance, music, theater and visual arts) will be on the chopping block. You may well have wondered what it would take to help lead an effort in your school district to increase access to a quality arts program for all students. Here's a guidebook that offers concrete actions you can take to grow arts education in your public school district.

REFLECTIONS AWARD GALA ON MARCH 2

Gail Matson, Reflections Chairman

Everyone is invited to experience the Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit in the 2011-2012 Ninth District PTA Reflections Program. The gala will be held Friday, March 2 at the San Diego County Office of Education from 6 to 8 pm. Art will be displayed in rooms 401/402 as well as outdoors (weather permitting) with light refreshments served. Come and join in the celebration!

OUR CHILDREN, OUR FUTURE EDUCATION FUNDING INITIATIVE

Rebecca Hernandez, VP Legislation

California State PTA has endorsed a bold proposal to create a state trust fund dedicated to public schools. The Our Children, Our Future Act would raise about $10 billion for schools through a temporary sliding-scale income tax increase. Ninth District PTA has pledged to get 10,000 signatures through a friends and family campaign to get this initiative on the ballot. If you would like to help on this grass-roots campaign, please contact me. I need people from every council in Ninth District PTA.

MORE MEN THROUGH MORE ALLIANCE

Brian Bonner, Leadership Team

This year more than one million men across America will visit schools through programs of the National PTA MORE Alliance (Men Organized to Raise Engagement). Male involvement remains a key resource for recruiting new PTA members. The MORE Alliance offers ready-to-use programs to help you quickly add relevance, membership and capacity to your PTA. Learn more.

STUDENT VOICES NEEDED

Student volunteers can apply to serve on the State PTA Board of Managers

Do you know a student interested in advocacy? They can get an early start by being the voice for students on the California State PTA Board of Managers. Student board members share their perspective on current issues, voice their concerns, and provide insight during the meetings they attend. They develop leadership skills within the framework and organizational structure of the California State PTA. Encourage students (between the ages of 16 and 21) in your units, councils and district to apply for this incredible opportunity to be a part of PTA at the state level! Learn more.

WHAT IS SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA?

One in nine high school seniors reported using "Spice" or "K2" over past year

Synthetic marijuana is now the second most frequently used illicit drug, after marijuana, among high school seniors. It goes by the name "Spice" or "K2". These drugs are marketed to young people as a "safe" alternative to marijuana when they are potentially more dangerous than the real thing. Side effects include agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, racing heartbeat, tremor, seizures, hallucinations and paranoid behavior. In California, it is now illegal to posses these items with intent to sell. Educate your parents so they can talk to their teens about the serious consequences of synthetic marijuana. Watch this Channel 10 news video.

SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR A GREATER SAN DIEGO

The school that completes the most surveys wins $5,000

In the next 40 years, more than 1.3 million additional people are expected to live in San Diego. How will future generations of San Diegans live, learn, work and play? You can help decide. Complete the San Diego Foundation survey. The school that completes the most surveys over 250 wins $5,000 to support an environmental project that directly helps kids. If your PTA would like to participate, contact Paul Albert with the San Diego Foundation. Paul will set you up with a survey link. Act fast - the Survey ends February 14.Learn more.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR EARTH DAY?

March in the Annual Children's Earth Day Parade

The 22nd annual Children's Earth Day Parade celebrates the variety of life on earth and demonstrates a clean, healthy environment! It's free, it's fun and it's through the 23rd annual EarthFair in Balboa Park on Sunday, April 22nd. Learn more.